COACH CHRIS EATON MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
The Coach Chris Eaton Memorial Scholarship supports Albuquerque-area student-athletes who excel both on the field and in the classroom. It provides college or vocational school funding while honoring Chris’s legacy of mentorship, leadership, and dedication to youth development.
Applications for the 2026 scholarships must be completed and submitted online by March 31, 2026.
The Coach Chris Eaton Memorial Scholarship was established to honor Chris Eaton, a passionate and successful head baseball coach at Sandia High School in Albuquerque who passed away in November 2022. Scholarships are awarded to student-athletes who demonstrate excellence in their sport, academics, leadership, teamwork, sportsmanship, integrity, and contributions to their community and teammates. Before applying, students should review the requirements below and learn about Chris and the Chris Eaton Foundation on this site.
The first scholarship of $10,000 was awarded in June 2024 to a Cibola High School senior. In 2025, four scholarships totaling $20,000 were awarded: $10,000 to a graduating Highland High School senior, $5,000, and two $2,500 awards.
The scholarship is funded entirely by charitable donations. All contributions directly support the scholarship and help raise awareness of healthy living resources that promote the mental and physical well-being of student-athletes.
OUR MISSION
The Chris Eaton Foundation has two main goals:
01. Promote Youth Mental and Physical Health:
We raise awareness of healthy living resources to help student-athletes and their families address behavioral and mental health challenges. We aim to elevate mental health to the same level of importance as physical health and to reduce the stigma surrounding seeking support.
02. Support Education Through Scholarships:
We provide college and vocational school scholarships to graduating senior student-athletes, helping them continue their education and personal development beyond high school.
COACH CHRIS EATON MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
Award Requirements + Criteria
Eligible applicants are graduating seniors from Albuquerque high schools who have competed in at least one varsity-level sport for a full season, maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.2 or higher, and plan to attend college or vocational school in the fall. Applications are reviewed using four key criteria, which student-athletes address in their submission:
STUDENT ATHLETICS
Performance and accomplishments in the student’s sport(s), including stats, awards, highlights, contributions to team success, personal growth, and improvement. Also considered is the student’s willingness to listen, learn, and grow as an athlete and teammate.
ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENTS
Focuses on classroom performance, including grades, awards, and progress over time. Curiosity, a desire to learn, academic goals, and a plan to achieve those goals are also considered.
LEADERSHIP + TEAMWORK
Efforts and achievements on and off the field, including setting an example, motivating self and others, and helping teammates improve. Good leadership is shown through concrete examples of positively impacting the team.
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
Activities outside of sports, such as volunteering, charitable work, fundraising, or supporting family, school, clubs, or the wider community. Focus is on contributions that improve the lives of others and the community.
HOW IT WORKS
Step 1: Confirm Eligibility: Applicants must be graduating seniors from Albuquerque high schools in spring 2026, have competed in at least one varsity-level, school-sponsored sport for a full season, maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.2 or higher, and plan to attend college or vocational school in the fall.
Step 2: Prepare Your Application: Students should review materials on this website to learn about Chris Eaton and the scholarship criteria, complete the written application, and submit a short video presentation. The application period typically opens in December and closes in March.
Step 3: Review & Selection: A committee selected by the Chris Eaton Foundation reviews all applications, gathers input as needed, and announces the winners in May.
Step 4: Scholarship Award: For 2026, scholarship amounts are $10,000 for first place, $5,000 for second, and $2,500 for third. Funds are sent directly to the student’s college or vocational school account. Since 2024, the Foundation has awarded $30,000 in scholarships to support student-athletes and their future success.
Coach Chris Eaton Scholarship Winners
2024 Ava Lulu Estes, Cibola High School
2025 Makayla Lovato, Highland High School (1st)
Benjamin Morgan, Albuquerque Academy (2nd)
Christabel Thiel-Hadjilambrinos, La Cueva High (T-3rd)
Olivia Murphy, Sandia High School (T-3rd)